EXCLUSIVE: In his first TV pact, bestselling author Nicholas Sparks has signed a two-year, first-look deal with Warner Horizon Television, the cable division of Warner Bros TV. Under the rich agreement, Sparks and his longtime publishing agent and creative collaborator Theresa Park will develop and executive produce series projects with an eye toward the cable marketplace “that will bring to television many of the core elements of my books and films: romantic love, family bonds, and the universal human dramas that move us all,” Sparks said. The projects, which won’t include shows written by Sparks himself, will be shepherded through Sparks’ newly-launched Nicholas Sparks Prods. Park has been named President of Production for NSP, which will develop and produce both feature film and TV projects. On the feature side, Sparks is producing through NSP Relativity’s Safe Haven, a Lasse Hallström-directed adaptation of his novel which is slated to begin production later this year. The Best of Me, also based on a bestselling Sparks novel, is in development at Warner Bros., with Sparks producing and Park co-producing. Those mark the eighth and ninth movie based on some of Sparks’ 16 published novels. The seventh one, The Lucky One starring Zac Efron, opens April 20. On the TV side, Sparks, repped by UTA and attorney Scott E. Schwimer, sold his first original TV project this development season, supernatural drama The Watchers, which landed at ABC.

I bet every TV show will revolve around soldiers and their girlfriends/wives/soul mates.

Not Everybody's a Pastry Chef • on Apr 10, 2012 5:03 pm

That’s actually a very astute comment. There’s a reason why they’re both so popular. In terms of formulaic vision I think you can make the same comment about Tom Clancy. He’ll be good for television on all kinds of channels. Maybe not your cup of tea but “The Waltons,” “Touched by an Angel,” “Little House on the Prarie,” – all huge. You can make the case that Streisand’s “Yentl” explored the types of themes that attracts Sparks. To each his/her own and the day that Hollywood doesn’t take into account the preoccupations of the average guy/woman is the day that Hollywood will truly be done; don’t kid yourself – its bread and butter and always has been.

spam • on Apr 10, 2012 8:26 pm

Do you know how many cans of Spam sell in a year? We don’t have to eat it or even like it. It just is what it is….